Work

Environmental pH modulation by pathogenic fungi as a strategy to conquer the host

Year: 2017

Type: review

Abstract: The ability of microorganisms to sense and adapt to changes in the environment is essential to their survival.This is particularly important for species with an intimate association with host organisms, such as pathogens, symbionts, and commensals.Host environments vary greatly in pH, ranging from highly acidic in the stomach (pH < 2) to mildly acidic on the skin and plant surfaces (6.5 < pH < 4.5), neutral in the blood (pH 7.4), and basic in parts of the intestine (pH < 8.5) [1-4], and fungi have developed multiple mechanisms to adapt to pH variations.This Pearl will focus on the ability of pathogenic fungi to respond to and actively modulate the host's pH.

Source: PLoS Pathogens

DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006149

Author: Slavena Vylkova

Institutions: Leibniz-Institut für Naturstoff-Forschung und Infektionsbiologie e. V. - Hans-Knöll-Institut (HKI), Friedrich Schiller University Jena

Language: English

Topic: Fungal and yeast genetics research

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,043